Retailers helped keep the monitor market afloat in the second quarter, with market research company IDC reporting the overall market shrank 3 per cent over first-quarter sales.

The open market, which includes retailers, systems integrators and direct channels, grew 6.5 per cent to 233,229 units, according to IDC figures, thanks largely to a range of competitively priced systems.

"Vendor-wise, Samsung, Mitsubishi and Viewsonic took out the top three positions for the total open market, surprisingly pushing LG Electronics into the number four position," said IDC hardware analyst Reuben Tan. "However, the top five vendors were extremely closely placed in terms of market share."

The top five vendors accounted for 71.6 per cent of the total open market in Q2, according to IDC. Samsung captured 15.5 per cent, Mitsubishi had 14.8 per cent, Viewsonic had 14.2 per cent, LG had 13.7 per cent and Philips had 13.3 per cent.

Poor exchange rates also pushed margins down and many vendors were caught with excess stock, said IDC.

"Vendors who had stuffed their channels, not only with monitors but other products as well, resorted to promotions and giveaways of these excess products as attractions to snare customers," Tan said.

IDC predicts that increased competition in both CRT and LCD sales will mean more price cuts in the third quarter, despite LCD panel prices stabilising over the last two months.

ARN Distributor Directory

ARN Vendor Directory

Slideshows

Opening ice breaker sessions set the scene for EDGE 2017

​EDGE 2017 kicked off with an opening ice breaker session, providing a structured environment for channel executives to form and foster new relationships and business opportunities. Photos by Maria Stefina.​

ARN returns to Melbourne for second running of After Hours

Partners, vendors and distributors came together for the second running of After Hours in Melbourne, designed to further unite the Australian channel through a series of invite-only social events in Victoria. Photos by Raymond Korn.​

A bumper crowd of partners turned out in force for Synnex Alliance 2017 in Melbourne, uncovering the key channel strategies required to deliver on the potential of digital transformation in Australia. An evening of keynote speakers, panel discussions and technology exhibitions assessed the opportunities and challenges of digital at Melbourne Olympic Park, with Sydney next up on August 16. Photos by Raymond Korn.

Copyright 2017 IDG Communications. ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited.